Magnetic toy



Dec. 1957 s. KNOWLES 2,814,909

MAGNETIC TOY Filed Feb. 16, 1956 f/GL/ I mmvrokf SQU/RE KNOWLES MAGNETIC TOY Squire Knowles, San Francisco, Calif.

Application February 16, 1956, Serial No. 565,882

4 Claims. (Cl. 46-240) This invention relates to improvements in magnetic toys and particularly to toys where figures and objects are moved about on a surface through remote magnetic means with directional control and without interference with one another.

Toys and games are known wherein objects, including doll figures, are magnetically moved about a surface, but there has been no effort to control the facing of the doll or figure in its movement on the surface. Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a toy where figures are moved under the influence of a magnetic field, but which, at all times, instantly face and move in the proper direction. Thus, if the movable object is a doll resembling a human, the doll will always move face forward, and, as it moves about on the surface in response to remote manipulation, it will always face forward as it moves, the same as a human being. This will be true in all instances except where the figure is intended to move backward, as this motion is likewise controlled. Regardless of the moves or turns which are involved, the doll will always be facing in the proper controlled direction.

lt is also known to move such figures about magnetically and remotely by means of a concealed wand having a magnetic tip placed thereon, by moving the wand tip below the surface on which the figures are intended to move. However, when more than one person is engaged in maniplating the figures or objects, interference of the magnetic fields of the wands is frequent and disconcerting. Likewise, the use of more than one figure or object in the movement involves interference, inter se, making it difficult to move one figure which is subject to the magnetic field of an adjacent figure. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a manipulative toy wherein several persons may play at the same time, each without interference with the other, and where the objects, themselves, which are intended to move about the surface do not in any manner influence, inhibit or attract any other object on the surface.

It is a further object to provide a nonmagnetic base for such objects and figures, which is rounded or beveled at the leading edge or perimeter, in order to make the objects move about smoothly, even over cracks or other unevennesses in the surface.

It is a further object to accomplish the directional movement of an object or figure by placing the magnet for the object off-center with respect to the center of the base, so that if the base is circular the direction of movement will be in the direction of the shortest distance from the magnet to the perimeter of the base.

Further, it is an object to provide a smooth movement of the objects or figures by providing drag at a point on the under surface of the base or figure, diametrically opposite to the magnet of the object or figure.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide each movable object or figure with a small horseshoe or bar magnet, or the like, so that the pole activated by the Wand magnet at least is off-center with respect to the cen- States Patent ter of the base, permitting travel in the direction represented by the active off-center pole of the magnet.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a quick and ready means for attachment and detachment of figures and objects to the magnetic movable bases, which attaching means may also be a shield to prevent the formation of magnetic fields laterally, which would otherwise cause interference and attraction of adjacent objects and figures.

A further object of the invention is to shield the magnets of both the wand and the movable figures in such a way that the magnetic fields will attract in a vertical direction only and without lateral interference of any kind.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, economy and ease of assembly and disassembly, also such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will more fully appear herein, and as are inherently possessed by the device and the invention described herein.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the same is merely illustrative of the invention and that the invention is capable of modification and change and comprehends other details of construction without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled toy, illustrating the manipulation and movement of the objects remotely, by passing the magnetic wand underneath the surface on which the objects move.

Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing the arrangement of a doll figure mounted on a base and adapted for magnetic manipulation.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a base unit, such as shown in Figure 2, adapted to receive a figure for magnetic manipulation. In addition, drag means on the under surface of the base unit is illustrated.

Figure 4 is the plan view of a room section on the surface for the storage of bases either with or without dolls, arranged so that they may be removed through the opening in sequence, if desired.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view showing another form of base unit with a permanent U type magnet positioned centrally, poles downwardly, so that the positive and negative poles will be off-center with respect to the center of the base.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the magnetic end of a wand, partly in section, showing the mounting of the magnet making single pole activation for either the positive or negative pole, as desired.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views, an example of the toy involved herein is a doll house shown in assembled position in the perspective view of Figure 1. As shown in this view, a platform 10 is provided, on the upper surface of which any suitable structure may be assembled, such as the walls 11 and partitions 12 of a house. Any other structure may be employed such as a stage set or the like. Suitable openings 14 are provided for the passage of the movable dolls or objects therethrough in order that they may be moved about continuously in a natural manner.

The surface 10 is preferably a single sheet of nonmagnetic material such as aluminum, wood, paper, or composition material, such as Masonite or the like. It should be thin enough so that there is a minimum of interference with magnetic fields passing therethrough, but stiff enough so there can be integrity and reasonable rigidity of. structural form. Materials having no indl: vidual integrity and stiffness may be stretched and used, so long as the stretching and supporting means do not seriously. impairv the free movement ofthe; wand, ad acent the under. surface. It is not.- necessary, however, to have the surface in a single piece of material, as several' parts may be joined to form a single surface, but care-should be exercised to make the junctures. as smooth as possible in order to eliminate unevennesses. The walls and partitions, such as those shown at 11 and 12, may be arranged in any desired plan and may be provided in knock-down form for assembly on the surface as desired. Likewise, different plans and structures may be provided in knock-down form sothat the structure. assembled on the surface 10 may be varied. and. selected as the players desire. Here again, caution is needed, because in the assembly of any kind of structure'for use on the surface. it), only nonmagnetic materials should be used, and, preferably, brass or aluminum. if hooks. or

other fastening means are used. Channel members 15 may be used in conjunction with the platform 10, having slots 16 for the insertion of the platform, walls or decorative forms 17. It is apparent that the platform 10 may be variedand changed as desired, in addition to varying the type of structure erected on the platform.

The platform 10 is raised above, any surface on which it may be placed by suitable legs 18, secured in the grooved members 15 or in any other; suitable manner. Preferably only the minimum number of leg members 1% is desired as the maximum freedom of access to the under surface of the platform member 1th is advantageous. However, the supports 18 should not be reduced in number to a point where stability of the entire structure is in any way imperiled. Games and objects requiring fast or quick movement will require anchoring of the platform structure to the supporting surface. This is accomplished by providing the leg members 18 with suction cups 19.

The movable objects or figures 20 are best. illustrated by reference to Figure 2. The figures can be representations of humans, as shown in Figure 2 and referred to as numeral 20, or may be animals, vehicles or even representations of other inaminate objects. Each is provided with a socket 21 which may be any desired shape in section, but preferably square as shown, in order that the front or facing direction is established and maintained. The socket 21 may be of any suitable material, but preferably one which inhibits or even prevents magnetic attraction in a lateral or horizontal direction.

The base for the movable pieces consists of a small, very light nonmagnetic material such as a plastic, either dished, rounded or beveled at the perimeter 23. The purpose of beveling or rounding the perimeter, as at 23, is to prevent unevenness of movement of the objects over irregularities or cracks in the surface 10 and to insure against upsetting of the figures in passing over these irregularities. Mounted off-center with respect to the center 24 of the base 22 is a permanent magnet 25 of a suitable shape so that it is adapted to be received within the socket 21 of the object 20. The magnet 25 is a permanent magnet, having positive and negative poles, and, as shown in Figure 2, the positive pole end is secured to the base 22 with the negative pole vertically above it. In order to secure a steady, even, directional movement of the figures or objects it has been found desirable to provide drag. To provide this movement even on the slickest of surfaces, a drag surface 29 is provided on the under side of the base 22 diametrically opposite to the magnet 25. The surface 29 may be added to the base, cast in it, orroughened at the time of manufacture. The base 22 and its magnet 25 mounted thereon is here termed a'baseunit. Itis apparent that because of the socket 21 any-type of movable object 20 may be: placed upon and. over the magnet. 25 in thebase 22 easily and. quickly, so .that; a wide variety of objects and 4 figures. may. be supplied. for a single base unit. These base units are adapted for movement and manipulation on the upper surface of the platform member 10.

In the case of wheeled vehicles where no base is required, the magnet may be permanently attached at a suitable position a fraction of an inch above the platform 10. In the event both forward and backward movement is required, a magnet with its positive pole may, for example, be mounted at the front and a separate magnet at the tear, or even one with its negative pole in position for activation.

As shown; in. Figure; 5,, the base member 22. may be provided with an inverted U -type permanent magnet 26 where the positive leg 27 of the magnet 26 and the negative leg 28 straddle the center 24 of the base 22 and are otfset with respect thereto. Thus, instead of having the entire magnet offset with respect to the center 24 of the base 22 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, only the positive and negative legs thereof, are offset. A bar magnet placed horizontally so that the positive and negative poles thereof are each offset with respect to the center of the base will also accomplish this same result. Such base units are particularly desirable where a figure is required to move both backward and forward and still face in the'proper direction, such as a skating figure on a skating rink.

Although the figures 20 have been described as being removably mounted on the base unit, it is to be understood that there are circumstances where permanent attachment to a base unit is more practical and desirable, and that the same. is contemplated in the present invention.

The objects or figures 2t themselves, when mounted on their suitable bases 22, are manipulated and controlled magnetically from the under surface of the platform member 19. This control is accomplished by means of a wand 30. The wand is of sufiicient length so that when end is. held in the'hand of the operator, it will normally reach to all portions of the under surface of the member 10. At the end opposite to the grip end of the wand 30, is mounted a permanent magnet 31, which is preferably cylindrical in form, with its negative pole upwardly in vertical plane and its positive end opposite thereto. The positive pole is upwardly directed, as shown in Figure so that a magnetic field and attraction can be established substantially vertically through the member 14) with the positive pole of the permanent magnet 25 attached to the movable base 22. It is obvious that the positive pole may be mounted upwardly for the establishment of a magnetic field where the magnet 25 is mounted with the negative pole downwardly. The permanent magnet 31 is preferably a strong magnet, having a power of 4 or 5 on the scale of 6 for small magnets, so that if it is positioned on the under surface of the member 19, other than in direct vertical opposition to the axis of the magnet 25', but adjacent thereto, the figure will immediately move and rotate to the position shown in Figure 2 and follow the magnet 31 in any path on the upper surface of the platform 10 in which it may be guided by the person manipulating the Wand, but always facing in the proper direction during the turns and travel. Although it is not required, it is desirable and preferable, to provide the net 31 with either a guard, coating or insulating material 32 to prevent establishing magnetic fields laterally which might interfere with the magnet 31 of another operator in the immediate vicinity.

The form of magnet and base shown in Figure 5 is preferable in many instances because of the very short turning radius involved. It will be observed that the positive pole 27 of the magnet 26 is radially offset from the center 24 a shorter distance than that shown in Figures 2 and 3. Accordingly, the turning radius is shortened. The magnet 3110n.the wand from the under surface is attracted by the positive leg 27 of the magnet 26 and repelled by the negative leg 28; The figure, such as 20, is mounted vertically and axially with respect to the center of the base and has a more bafiling appearance than the method of mounting shown in Figures 2 and 3. However, the figures so mounted and moved by the manipulations of the wand 30 and the magnet 31 from beneath the surface of the member 10, will follow any path in which the magnet 31 is moved and will rotate so that the figure always faces in the proper direction, assuming that the figure is properly mounted on the base 22, as shown in Figure 2. The forward or proper position for correct facing will always be that where the pole of the magnet, corresponding with the attracting pole of the exposed end of the magnet attached to the wand, is nearest to the perimeter and less than the radius from the center.

The wand 30 may be provided with a handle 33 which may be grasped easily by the manipulator. Adjacent the handle 33, and forming a thumb rest, a leveling indicator 34 is provided. As shown in Figure 1, the leveling indicator provides the operator with both a visual and a sensory means of determining and maintaining the proper vertical position of the magnet 31 on the end of the wand 30, even though it is not readily seen.

The wand 30 may be provided with a magnet 31a which has both of its opposite poles available for use as shown in Figure 6. Where the horseshoe magnet 26 or a flat bar magnet is used in the base unit, where one pole is available for forward movement and the opposite pole is available for backward movement, the use of the wand of Figure 6 makes both movements possible with a single wand merely by turning the wand 180. The wand 30 with the magnet 31a is provided with two leveler pads, one for the positive pole and one for the negative pole. It is desirable to provide the positive pole leveler pad with a raised plus sign, and the negative pole leveler pole pad with a raised minus sign, for easy identification.

While the description herein has referred to permanent magnets only, it is to be understood that all types of magnets are included, including electromagnets.

When two players are engaged in the maneuvering of the figures and objects, one player may have those provided with figures having a plus charge for proper activation as shown in Figure 2, while the other player has figures and objects with magnets having the negative pole available for proper activation. In this manner the objects of the two players may be moved freely without interference of wands or figures. Likewise, all figures of a certain sequence may have positive poles for activation while others of another series may have negative poles for activation.

With reference to Figure 4 a small room 35 is shown in plan view having a plurality of base units. This room may be a storage room or waiting room for figures arranged in sequence for movement out and onto the playing surface 10. It may also be used as a dressing room where base units receive different and changes of figures.

It will be observed that a wide variety of toys and games has been provided in which the several objects of the invention have been attained.

I claim:

1. A plurality of figures for a magnetic set wherein figures are moved about on a surface under the influence and control of a magnetic field established from the opposite side of said surface comprising figures mounted on a magnet, a magnet for each figure having a single pole available for activation with each figure of the same series having the same polarity, and a base for each of said figures and magnets, a drag area on the under surface of bases located diametrically opposite to the magnet, each of said magnets being secured to its base eccentrically with respect to the center thereof so the shortest distance from the available pole of the magnet to the perimeter of its base indicates the proper facing and direction of travel for the figure, said bases being beveled inwardly and downwardly at the perimeter.

2. A plurality of figures for a magnetic set wherein figures are moved about on a surface under the influence and control of a magnetic field established from the opposite side of said surface comprising figures mounted on a magnet with a shielding material to prevent lateral magnetic influence, a magnet for each figure having a single pole available for activation with each figure of the same series having the same polarity, and a base for each of said figures and magnets, a drag area on the under surface of bases located diametrically opposite to the magnet, each of said magnets being secured to its base eccentrically with respect to the center thereof so the shortest distance from the available pole of the magnet to the perimeter of its base indicates the proper facing and direction of travel for the figure, said bases being curved inwardly and downwardly at the perimeter.

3. A plurality of figures for a magnetic set wherein figures are moved about on a surface under the influence and control of a magnetic field established from the opposite side of said surface comprising figures removably mounted on a magnet with a shielding material to prevent lateral magnetic influence, a magnet for each figure having a single pole available for activation with each figure of the same series having the same polarity, and a base for each of said figures and magnets, a drag area on the under surface of bases located diametrically opposite to the magnet, each of said magnets being secured to its base eccentrically with respect to the center thereof so the shortest distance from the available pole of the magnet to the perimeter of its base indicates the proper facing and direction of travel for the figure, said bases being curved inwardly and downwardly at the perimeter.

4. A toy wherein figures are moved about freely on a surface under the influence of a magnetic field established remotely, comprising in combination, a base for supporting the figure and upon which it travels, a magnet mounted centrally of said base having its negative and positive poles eccentric with respect to said center, a figure mounted on said base and magnet facing in the direction of one of the poles of said magnet indicating the proper direction of facing and travel for said figure, a nonmagnetic surface on which the bases with their respective figures are moved about, wand means for remotely establishing a magnetic field through said surface with the magnet of said figure, comprising a shaft having a grip at one end and a magnet at the other, said magnet being mounted with both poles available but so that only one pole at a time will be available to activate the pole of opposite polarity representing the facing direction of the figure, and shielding material around said magnet leaving only the pole ends exposed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,528,938 Wolf Nov. 7, 1950 2,632,648 Neuzerling Mar. 24, 1953 2,637,138 Doran May 5, 1953 2,669,800 Dietrich Feb. 23, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 445,958 Canada Apr. 19, 1949 169,661 Austria Apr. 15, 1951 1,067,755 France Ian. 27, 1954 

